Wednesday, January 13, 2010

My love affair with quatrefoil is hardly new for those of you who've been following this blog for a while as the motif has frequently popped up in my mood boards for the new house. Like greek key, I find it hard to resist just about any product that includes even just a hint of the motif. While the roots of the symbol are ancient, and the motif is frequently found in both Gothic and Moorish architecture from the Middle Ages, the quatrefoil is enjoying a renewed popularity in recent years.

And while my love of quatrefoil probably doesn't extend to the full-on obsession that would be required to compell someone to cover every square inch of a room in the motif (as in the old domino photo above), I do think a little bit of quatrefoil goes a long way to bringing sophistication and style to your home (or your jewelry box!).

Source list:

1. Quatrefoil Tole Tray from Ballard Designs ($69). Trays make any mess look organized and "decorated". I'd use this one to corral all my remotes (I think I have 4 for one TV!).

2. Reims knob from Anthropologie ($14). I love the inlaid mother-of-pearl and the gilt finish. Very Kelly Wearstler.

3. Maharam Quatrefoil pillow from Velocity Art & Design ($150). A classic mod pattern is a modernist's take on the ancient motif.

5. Alexandra Chair from Hickory Chair. Designed by Suzanne Kasler, this chair is destined to become a classic. I'd love one or two of these for my master bedroom.

6. Quatrefoil Table Lamp from Circa Lighting. Also designed by Suzanne Kasler, this quatrefoil table lamp comes in gilded and aged iron and in a floor lamp model. And don't miss her new quatrefoil wall sconce -- it's seriously breathtaking and a steal at under $300.

7. Signature Clover chandelier earrings from Stella & Dot ($49). A pair of earrings go with just about any outfit and any occasion, but I love chandelier earrings with a casual look, so I'd dress these down with boyfriend jeans and a great sweater.

8. Quatrefoil headboard from Ballard Designs (starting at $449). I'd love to see this upholstered in a clean, neutral linen for a lovely Belgium look.

9. Quatrefoil key pendant from Tiffany's ($1000). Alas, I didn't get this for Christmas, but it's still on my wish list (ahem, Dave!).

10. CAS Pollux wall mirror from CSN.com ($329). I love how the quatrefoil is inset into the circle and that the frame is gilt. Mark my words: brass and gold are making a comeback!

11. Fabrics: Bocce (in Godiva) from Calico Corners ($42.99/yd.) and Anna's Drawing Room Pressed Flowers (in Gold) from Fabric.com ($10.49/yd.). Two great, albeit different, fabric options at reasonable prices. I'd use the bocce print for larger projects like curtains or a great slipper chair and the wilder, more bohemian print for some seriously bold pillows.

12. World Notes (in purple) from Albertine Press ($15/set of 6). These would make the task of sending "thank you" notes pleasurable. The set also comes in green or gray.

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comments:

Oh, fun post! Love the lamp, I'm in the market for a pair for my master, broke one in my current pair. Too bad a single one wouldn't look good with my still intact lamp. All the options are just beautiful, it is a shape that is classic but with a touch of whimsy. Janell

Good collection of a great motif! I was just looking at Bocce on CC's website, but the colorways were more subdued than I was thinking... I could handle one of those Tiffany key pendants for Valentine's, though! ;)

Please do not think less of me, but I had no idea that this was what that pattern was called! I liked it, I just didn't know the technical term. ***ducking down and hiding*** Thanks, Averill, great finds:)

I've always loved quatrefoils too, I lust after the Alhambra jewelry collection from Van Cleef Arpels! So expensive though. On the affordable side, Echelon has a new duvet cover pattern with the quatrefoil design: http://www.echelonhome.com/product/group/164/Quatrefoil.html